Chemical Emergencies

The City of Baytown is home to several industrial facilities in the energy and chemical manufacturing sector and adjacent to the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay. A chemical emergency or hazardous material incident can occur at a fixed-facility or while in transportation via pipeline, truck, railroad, or maritime.  

Greater Baytown Area LEPC

Baytown OEM works closely with the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) a partnership between private sector industry, first responders, and public safety officials to ensure the community is prepared for a chemical emergency or hazardous materials incident. Visit the LEPC website for more information about the LEPC and how you can get involved.

Emerge/E-Notify

Local industrial facilities and transportation companies are responsible for notifying local emergency officials about any chemical release that may affect the community. Several industrial facilities in Baytown utilize the Emerge/E-Notify System to keep the local emergency officials, 911 Communications Center, the LEPC informed about the incident. 

CAER Online

Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) Online is a system for community members to view posted messages and alerts from local industrial facilities regarding operational updates and chemical emergencies. https://www.ehcma.org/public-safety/caeronline/ 

Outdoor Warning Sirens

The City of Baytown outdoor warning system consists of several pole-mounted sirens placed in various locations throughout the city. The sirens warn the community of a chemical emergency. If you hear an outdoor warning siren sound, please go indoors to "shelter-in-place" until notified that the emergency has ended.

Learn about the two different tones utilized by the Outdoor Warning Sirens:

Shelter-In-Place (SIP)

Learn how to Shelter-in-Place with an educational video in English and Spanish produced by the Baytown LEPC.

Shelter In Place Video

Shelter-In-Place (English)

In a chemical emergency when harmful agents are in the air, evacuation may be dangerous. To prevent further exposure you may be told to find shelter indoors wherever you are. This is called Shelter-in-Place. These five steps to Shelter-in-Place are the same for home, work, or school:

  1. Go inside. Quickly move people and pets indoors.
  2. Close and lock all windows and doors.
  3. Turn off and close all venting systems. Include air conditioners, bathroom and stove fans, and fireplace dampers.
  4. Go into an interior room and seal it. Block any gaps to the outside air with tape and plastic or damp towels.
  5. Tune to your local radio or TV station for more information.

Shelter-in-Place (Spanish)

En una emergencia de quimicos cuando agentes peligrosos se encuentran en el aire, evacuacion puede ser peligroso. Para prevenir una mayor manifestacion se le pedira que encuentre fefugio dentro del lugar en donde usted se encuentra, esto se llama Refugio-en-Lugar. Estos cinco pasos de Refugio-en-Lugar se dan a seguir en el hogar, trabajo, o en la escuela. 

  1. Vaya adentro. Mueva rapido a personas y mascotas hacia dentro
  2. Cierre todas las ventanas y puertas.
  3. Apage y cierre todos los systemas de ventilacion, inclyendo aires acondicionados, banos o el abanico de la estufa o de los registros de la chimenea.
  4. Entre a un cuarto y sellelo. Cubra todas los aberturas donde puede entrar aire de afuera, y use cinta adhesiva y plastico o toallas mojadas.
  5. Escuche su estacion de TV y radio local para informacion.

Evacuation 

Some chemical emergencies may not be suitable for a Shelter-In-Place (SIP) protective measure. It may be safer for you to leave the area of danger and evacuate.  

Evacuation may be an appropriate protective measure, but you should not attempt an evacuation during a chemical emergency unless specifically ordered by first responders. Leaving your home or business may expose you to more chemical vapors.